Fierce tornado destroys houses, injures 5 in Germany

COMPILED FROM WIRE SERVICES

BERLIN

Published14.03.201914:48

Updated14.03.201914:58

Share via e-mail

TO

ADD A MESSAGE

YOUR E-MAIL

As Turkuvaz, we process your personal data and make every effort to protect your data by taking technical and administrative measures prescribed by law. You can access the explanatory text for your processed personal data by visiting the data policy page.

Roofer work on a damaged building in Roetgen, western Germany, Thursday, March 14, 2019 after it was hit by a twister the day before. (DPA Photo)

A tornado described by firefighters as "brief but fierce" has damaged about 30 houses in western Germany, leaving 10 uninhabitable.

Dozens of residents were forced to spend the night with friends or at a local hotel after the tornado hit Roetgen, near the border with Belgium, on Wednesday afternoon.

The local fire department said that up to 40 houses were damaged.

A video shows the tornado sweeping through the small town home to around 8,500 people.

A care station was opened at a local school to support the inhabitants of the town. The fire department estimated that around 30 people were in need of a temporary shelter, but assumed that most would stay with their relatives or friends.

Authorities said Thursday that five people were slightly injured, with four treated at a hospital.